DefenceTalkThe transatlantic diplomatic rift widened on Tuesday as US President Donald Trump responded to criticism from Chancellor Angela Merkel with a new attack on German trade tactics and defense spending. Trump’s spokesman Sean Spicer insisted that the leaders “get on very well” but — as is often the case — his warm words from the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-trump-attack-on-germany-widens-transatlantic-rift-70105/

DefenceTalkHOHENFELS, Germany:Naval Special Warfare operators from U.S. Special Operations Command along with NATO Special Operations Forces from Albania, Bulgaria and Lithuania, partnered with the U.S. Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment during Saber Junction 17 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, April 25 to May 19, 2017. Saber Junction 17 is the regiment’s brigade-level […]https://www.defencetalk.com/conventional-and-special-forces-partner-to-prepare-for-european-combat-operations-70000/

DefenceTalkThe Berlin government is mulling moving its troops out of Turkey’s Incirlik air base after a second snub by Ankara. A German political delegation was denied approval to visit Bundeswehr soldiers at the military facility. Wolfgang Hellmich, the chairman of the Bundestag Defense Committee told the German news agency dpa “we’re not going to be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-likely-to-pull-troops-out-of-turkey-69977/

DefenceTalkDelays to the Airbus A400M plane meeting its full specifications could leave the German air force without transport aircraft after 2021, according to a confidential report. “Given the under-financing of the programme and the compensation claims over delays in delivery, Airbus will not be able to make the necessary investments to make the needed improvements,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/a400m-delays-could-leave-german-air-force-hanging-69934/

DefenceTalkGermany’s defence minister on Sunday vowed zero tolerance for far-right extremists in the military amid a widening scandal over a soldier who allegedly plotted an attack which he planned to blame on refugees. “We can tolerate many things, but not political extremism, right-wing or religiously motivated extremism,” the minister, Ursula von der Leyen, told public […]https://www.defencetalk.com/scandal-widens-over-far-right-german-soldier-in-attack-plot-69861/

DefenceTalkGermany has approved more major weapons deals with the UAE, including deliveries of high-caliber ammunition. The UAE is involved in a conflict in Yemen that has caused famine and humanitarian disaster. Germany is supplying more weapons to belligerents in the Yemen conflict, even though the ongoing war in the Middle East’s poorest country has triggered […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-sells-arms-to-uae-despite-yemen-conflict-69763/

DefenceTalkSTUTTGART, Germany: Combat-ready F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighter aircraft arrived today at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, demonstrating U.S. commitment to NATO allies and European territorial integrity. “The forward presence of F-35s support my priority of having ready and postured forces here in Europe,” said Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, the commander of U.S. European […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35a-lighting-ii-joint-strike-fighter-aircraft-arrive-in-europe-69746/

DefenceTalkThe German government has refused approval for military exports to NATO partner country Turkey on a growing number of occasions. Ministers are concerned the weapons could be used to oppress the local population. Berlin has rejected more than 10 applications for arms exports to Turkey in recent months, reports German daily “Süddeutsche Zeitung” (SZ), citing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-blocks-arms-sales-to-turkey-69565/

DefenceTalkFrom Berlin to Washington, Germany’s role in the trans-Atlantic alliance has taken center stage. But what does Germany actually do for NATO? DW examines its strategic role amid a spat prompted by US President Trump. In Germany, the question of defense spending has become a contentious topic ahead of key parliamentary elections slated for September, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/how-does-germany-contribute-to-nato-69563/

DefenceTalkGermany has hit back at US President Donald Trump’s claims that Berlin owed “vast sums of money” to Nato, following a less than cordial meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House. The comments from German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen came as Trump’s spokesman denied that the US leader had refused to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-hits-back-at-trump-over-nato-after-icy-meeting-69535/